“I closed my message in last fall’s Scenes with the sentiment that 2020 was the year that teachers were heroes. I suggest now: we know that at Fryeburg Academy, it has ever been thus!”

HEAD OF SCHOOL LETTER

Greetings to the Fryeburg Academy Community

The first semester of Fryeburg Academy’s 230th year has been lively! 2021-22 brings an enrollment of 594 students. Of these, 447 come from MSAD #72 towns, as well as from Albany and Chatham, NH; 31 are commuter day students from outside the district; 116 live and study at FA as boarding students. We actually opened this fall with 101 students in the residential program, but the number has grown by 15 throughout the fall as our school and world continue to rebound from last year’s pandemic impacts.

Happily, this rebound has included the return of many events and traditions that make Academy life so rich: Reunion and Homecoming Weekends, the full slate of fall and winter athletics, the school musical (a fabulous November production of “Mama Mia!”), and just this last weekend, a moving, spirited pair of Candlelight Concerts in celebration of the holiday season. Most fundamentally, we’ve been able to return to fully in-person instruction — a critical and irreplaceable component in students’ learning and development.

Also this fall, the Academy underwent its ten-year reaccreditation process with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Originally scheduled to visit campus last October and guided by the Self Study that our faculty and staff had generated, the NEASC Visiting Committee spent October 17th-20th here at school, observing operations and conversing with faculty, staff, students, parents, administrators, alumni, and trustees. The Visiting Committee was comprised of eight individuals — teachers, administrators, and a retired headmaster — from six other New England independent schools. I’ve served on many such NEASC teams myself, as well as on one for the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), and can attest to the rigor and thoughtfulness of this standards-based peer review process, the conclusions of which shape a school’s priorities and plans for the next five-to-ten years.

The resulting Visiting Committee Report enthusiastically recommends FA’s reaccreditation, which will be formalized at NEASC’s February meeting of its Council on Independent Schools. The report itself is gratifying — affirming in what it commends, and insightful about areas needing maturation. We’ll offer more comprehensive coverage of the Visiting Committee’s findings in the next issue of Scenes; for now, I leave you At the Reunion Banquet in August, Erin with a brief excerpt from the Mayo accepts a Head of School Wishlist gift report’s opening, trusting from 2020-21 Fryeburg Academy Alumni Association president Chris Dutton ’90. that as a member of our wider school community you will, like me, nod with pride and recognition as you read:

Fryeburg is an institution whose impact on its students is significant and profound. Impressively, Fryeburg

Academy succeeds at so many levels and for a very broad spectrum of students… in a great number of interviews with students, parents, administrators, staff, and faculty members themselves, Fryeburg Academy teachers were commended repeatedly for their effort, dedication, and deep caring for their students. The Visiting Committee observed all of these qualities in our conversations with faculty and in classroom visits; it is clear why the FA community sees the faculty as an incredible point of strength within the school.

I closed my message in last fall’s Scenes with the sentiment that 2020 was the year that teachers were heroes. I suggest now: we know that at Fryeburg Academy, it has ever been thus!

May the coming weeks and new year bring you joy—

ERIN P. MAYO Head of School

Contents FALL 2021

LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

1 “I closed my message in last fall’s Scenes with the sentiment that 2020 was the year that teachers were heroes. I suggest now: we know that at Fryeburg Academy, it has ever been thus!”

FA ACADEMICS 4 FA Robotics: The Intersection of Student Problem-Solving and Collaboration

by Laura Ayer “The only other era characterized by such swift, dramatic impact is the 18th century, which saw the launch of the Industrial Revolution.” 6 The Biomimicry Challenge by Jennifer Richardson

“This challenge means a lot to me: this was my first time doing an actual science competition, and it was a long journey for me. I learned a lot through this journey, not only about biology but also about myself and friends.”

7 Outdoor Learning and Research Center Update

by Dylan Harry

“The OLRC now oversees three distinct programs that will serve as nodes for growth and integration with our school and the larger Fryeburg community: the Outdoor Adventure

Program, the Research Program, and the Agriculture Program.”

FA GRADUATION 2021

8 Baccalaureate Speech by Jane Fullerton “...Thich Nhat Han said, “compassion is a verb.” When we act with compassion and kindness, we give service and respect to others. How we treat others matters; it is what people remember.”

9 Commencement 2021 10 Class of 2021 Awards 13 College Acceptances and

Dede Frost and Julia DiStefano Matriculations

FA NEWS 14 FA Personnel Updates, 2021-22 17 Fryeburg Academy Announces Two New Members on Its

Board of Trustees

“The Fryeburg Academy Board of Trustees has appointed two new board members: Renee C. Thomas ’84, and Nicola Soares ’86. Both women hail from Bermuda and spent their Academy years as students in its boarding program.”

18 Harvey Gamage Schooner Sets Sail with FA Students

by Judy Heininger

FA ATHLETICS 20 Shelby Purslow ’22: A True Three Sport Athlete

(And Much More) by Charlie Tryder

“What I gained most from my athletic career was just creating the bonds and learning the true meaning of being a teammate, not just on the field or court, but off of it too. Even if you aren’t starting, you hold a huge weight on the team, because even the cheering makes one play harder!” 20 Bobby Hallam ’22: A Nice Balance by Charlie Tryder

“Bobby is the consummate team player. He wants to do what’s best for the team no matter what the circumstances.

Whether Bobby is having a good day or not does not interfere with his desire to see his team and teammates do well.”

22 2021 FA

Fall Sports

Photo

Gallery

Homecoming game against Nokomis High School

FA ARTS

24 Fall 2021 Music Notes by Michael Sakash

“…We continue to negotiate the challenges of reBonfire hearsing and performing in our rapidly changing world. Despite these challenges, there is renewed energy and a feeling of momentum among our student performers and our art teachers.”

25 Industrial Arts Students Craft a One-of-a-Kind Table

by Robert Pulito

“…For six months, from January to June, all classes worked as a team, brainstorming, problem-solving, and always stressing quality craftsmanship to complete this “one of a kind” table.”

FA ALUMNI 26 A Message from the Advancement and Alumni Relations

Office by Dawn Gale ’81

“We are optimistic that 2022 will allow us to hold more alumni gatherings, both locally and regionally, and we look forward to the August reunion returning to a full schedule.”

Maggie Powers ’21 helps furl the jib with a deckhand.

26 Distinguished Alumni Award: Jim Oliver ’64 by Dawn Gale ’81

27 Reunion 2021 Recap & Class Photos 34 Hall of Excellence Induction Ceremony &

Homecoming Celebration 2021 by Dawn Gale ’81

“On October 15 and 16, Fryeburg Academy celebrated

Homecoming and welcomed seven new members and two championship teams into its Hall of Excellence.”

40 Class News 46 Annual Report of Giving 53 Head of School Wish List 53 In Memoriam

ON THE COVER: Robotics club teammates Anna Bondar ’23 and Aaron Zakon ’22 work on the main frame for their robot.

CONTRIBUTORS:

A special thank you to the contributors of Scenes Magazine. Your voices and imagery help convey the FA experience and tell our shared story about our vibrant community. Photography credits: Mike Dana, Dawn Gale ’81, Jennifer Stacy Bartlett ’93, Lakyn Osgood Ela ’12, Julian Zhu ’21, Rachel Andrews Damon ’76, and Margaret Hatch Eastman ’64. Design by: Marianne Matte, Kennebunk, ME